James F McDonnell

James F McDonnell, MD

Ophthalmology

Provider Groups

  • Loyola Medicine Physician

  • Loyola Physician Partners

Primary Contact

888-284-7888
Accepting New Patients
Provider Groups
  • Loyola Medicine Physician

  • Loyola Physician Partners

Primary Contact
888-284-7888

Services & Specialties

Areas of Specialization

  • Ophthalmology

Clinical Interests

Conditions Treated

  • strabismus
  • strabismus surgery
  • vision testing and screening in young children

Locations & Contact

Primary Location

Loyola University Medical Center

1 S 260 Summit Ave
2nd Fl
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Loyola University Medical Center

2160 S First Ave
Maywood, IL 60153

View hours
Monday
Open 24 hours
Tuesday
Open 24 hours
Wednesday
Open 24 hours
Thursday
Open 24 hours
Friday
Open 24 hours
Saturday
Open 24 hours
Sunday
Open 24 hours
Loyola University Medical Center

About


Dr. McDonnell is Professor and Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus in the Department of Ophthalmology at Loyola University Medical Center since 1994. Dr. McDonnell received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and his MD from Northwestern University Medical School.

He began his medical career in Emergency Medicine at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago, but switched specialties completing his residency in Ophthalmology at the Eye Institute in Milwaukee at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He continued his subspecialty training completing a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at the University of Wisconsin in Madison Wisconsin in 1991.

Dr. McDonnell joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin from 1991-1993 and later spent time in private practice then joined the faculty at Loyola University Medical Center in 1994 where he remains on the faculty today.

Academic Title

Professor

Ages Seen

Adolescents - 12 to 17
Children - 0 to 11
Adults - Over 65
Adults - 18 to 64

Education & Certifications

Education

Education:
Georgetown University (1977)

Education:
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (1985)

Internship:
Northwestern University (Internal Medicine) (1986)

Internship:
Northwestern University (Emergency Medicine) (1986)

Internship:
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University (Emergency Medicine) (1986)

Residency:
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Inc (Ophthalmology) (1990)

Fellowship:
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (Pediatric Ophthalmology) (1991)

Fellowship:
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (Ophthalmology) (1991)

Board Certifications

Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology (1991)

Provider Groups

Loyola Medicine Physician

Loyola Physician Partners

Provider Ratings

The following ratings and reviews are based on verified feedback collected from independently administered patient experience surveys. The ratings and comments submitted by patients reflect their own views and opinions. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Learn More >

4.8 out of 5

(161 ratings)

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

53 Reviews

07/16/2026

Dr McDonnell is extremely knowledgeable and treats patients with utmost respect.

07/14/2026

Great doctor, he has been my son’s doctor for the past 9years ( from birth). My son was born a preemie and we have seen dr McDonnell a lot and he has taken care of my son throughout all these years he has been great. He’s funny and he has a great personality and has made every visit very easy for my child.

07/09/2026

Dr Mcdonnell is wonderful, kind and patient. It is sincerely appreciated how he managed to calmly and effortlessly assess my daughter.

07/06/2026

Buena atención

06/26/2026

Very kind and thoughtful and good

06/25/2026

Not only do you get professional care but you get a detailed explanation of your condition in terms that a person that is not in a medical field can understand. In my opinion, I received the pinnacle of eye care with a very warm and friendly Doctor that has a professional medical acumen.

06/18/2026

Muy bien

06/15/2026

He and his staff are a pleasure to work with. Kind, patient and understanding.

06/02/2026

My son was very comfortable with him.. he makes my sons visit fun.

05/28/2026

I always have a great experience with Dr. McDonnell and his staff. He is not only thorough but also very personable so we have great banter back and forth as he is examining me. I am always at ease with him. I highly recommend Dr. McDonnell to anyone.

05/27/2026

He is WONDERFUL! The most thorough physician we've seen!

05/26/2026

He is amazing great dr

05/14/2026

He is a professional in his field, a very strong doctor. He's been watching our son since birth. We are very grateful to him! And all the nurses are caring and kind

05/12/2026

We are so lucky to have Dr. McDonnell on our team!

05/11/2026

El Dr es amable y siempre trata de ayudar y explicar lo que se le pregunta. Gracias.

05/07/2026

The entire team was awesome, especially Laura.

05/07/2026

Very friendly and open about himself.

05/04/2026

Dr. McDonnell is such a wonderful doctor. He's funny and really cares about his patients :)

05/04/2026

Excellent. He came highly recommended by my rehab ophthalmologist and my regular ophthalmologist and both of their staffs and I am grateful for the referraland hopeful for positive results.

04/30/2026

To gain clarity about my symptoms, he repeated some lab work to make sure that the findings were accurate. His calm and reassuring manner was greatly appreciated.

04/23/2026

Exceptional

04/14/2026

Dr. McDonnell is one of the best Doctor I have ever met. He listens,he gets to the bottom of the problem. So professional and caring. I'M so bless to have met him and his team. I thank God for him. Thank you Dr McDonnell!

04/14/2026

Like his patience

04/02/2026

That’s all.

04/01/2026

My faVORITE DOCTOR. Look forward to seeing him.

03/31/2026

A very good doctor

03/26/2026

The best

03/26/2026

Keep up the great work!

03/19/2026

He is awesome!

03/18/2026

Love him been going to him since I was a little girl. Wouldn’t want another doctor. He is the best.

03/17/2026

the doctor was very relatable and kind and nice with lots of patience

03/05/2026

Very personable and see earlier comment.

03/02/2026

Perfect

03/02/2026

Very knowledgeable!

02/27/2026

I'm glad he was recommended to me.

02/16/2026

Mr Mcdonnell is a great dr. Hes great with his pacients. Hope he stays for a long time

02/12/2026

Best doctor and team!!!

02/11/2026

I could see bonus he cares based on the amount of time he spent with us and how he spoke to my 5yo. I will definitely be recommending him to others!

02/09/2026

He is very good

02/09/2026

I think Dr. McDonnell is a true professional. Someone somewhere might eaual him in some respects, but no one could surpass him.

02/04/2026

Dr. McDonnell has been treating my daughter for about 13-14 years. He is not close to our home but I will continue to take my daughter there because of his attention to detail, being thorough, and his calm demeanor. His bedside manner is one others should take note of.

02/03/2026

a wonderful physician who would be a great role model for younger doctors

01/20/2026

He was very caring and patient with me. He listened to my concerns and took great care of me.

12/22/2025

Dr. McDonnell is a wonderful physician. He cates about his patients, listens well, and provides the best care as his charter. Loyola is truly fortunate to have a clinician such as Dr. James McDonnell.

12/02/2025

The dr is excellent with kids

11/18/2025

Great communication with lots of care and reassurance about the health of my eyes. Took the time to discuss everything with my husband as well as myself at every appointment. He’s the best!

10/23/2025

Dr. Mc.Donnell is always patient and kind with my child, makes us all feel very welcome and comfortable.

10/23/2025

Excellent

10/21/2025

The best doctor I can trust my eyes to

10/14/2025

After my visit, I had additional questions and Dr. McDonnel promptly answered them.

10/09/2025

THE BEST !!!!!

10/09/2025

I just Trust Him!!

09/08/2025

Dr MCDONNELL JAMES F is the best doctor !!!!
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Publications

  • Kaempferol Protects Against Retinal Photoreceptor Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Light-Induced Retinal Injury. Noguchi, J. L.; Seu, M. Y.; Qiao, J. B.; Tan, I. R.; Swaminathan, S. R.; McDonnell, J. F.; Tan, Z.; Bu, P.; Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Protection of Retinal Function by Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Following Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury. Gange, W. S.; Qiao, J. B.; Park, P. J.; McDonnell, J. F.; Tan, Z.; Perlman, J. I.; Bu, P.; Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Effects of corrective strabismus surgery on social anxiety and self-consciousness in adults. Estes, K. J.; Parrish, R. K.; Sinacore, J.; Mumby, P. B.; McDonnell, J. F.; Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Protection of retinal function by sulforaphane following retinal ischemic injury. Ambrecht, L. A.; Perlman, J. I.; McDonnell, J. F.; Zhai, Y.; Qiao, L.; Bu, P.; Experimental eye research
  • Amniotic band syndrome with significant orofacial clefts and disruptions and distortions of craniofacial structures. Muraskas, J. K.; McDonnell, J. F.; Chudik, R. J.; Salyer, K. E.; Glynn, L.; Journal of pediatric surgery
  • Pediatric Horner's syndrome due to a cervical thymic rest. McDonnell, J. F.; Ramonas, K.; Park, A. H.; Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
  • Ocular complications of thermal injury: a 3-year retrospective. Bouchard, C. S.; Morno, K.; Perkins, J.; McDonnell, J. F.; Dicken, R.; The Journal of trauma
  • Spontaneous dural cavernous sinus fistula in a child. Skolnick, K. A.; McDonnell, J. F.; Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Bilateral peripheral ulcerative keratitis associated with pyoderma gangrenosum. Bouchard, C. S.; Meyer, M. A.; McDonnell, J. F.; Cornea